I had been working in the IT industry for many years when I was made redundant. I gave the world three months to come and get me, but of course they didn’t - so I went back to school.
I had for months kept an advertisement for a local chiropody school because somehow the prospect of becoming a ‘medical person’ interested me. I applied and was accepted on the course at the West Midlands School of Chiropody (now the College of Foot Health Practitioners) to study for a Certificate in Chiropody.
I completed my home studies, practical surgery days and lectures and achieved a certificate with honours, but only due to the unbounded enthusiasm and positive thinking of Victor, John and their dedicated staff at the school. Their wealth of experience in both medical and business terms has been, and still is, invaluable.
That was over two years ago, so what since then? Like driving, passing the test is just a start.
Through local advertising and word of mouth, I started with, and continue to do, ‘home’ visits.
There is a growing population of elderly people who cannot receive any foot health care on the NHS any more, and are willing to pay for a professional and caring home service.
I have recently been remarried, to a lady Chiropodist who I met at the school (that’s another story) and we have moved to South Devon where, besides doing our domiciliary work, provide treatment to residents of nursing homes. As a contrast we also work for two days a week in a branches of a ladies fitness and health club. But our biggest wish is to have our own surgery, and at this moment we are negotiating the purchase of a business in a beautiful Devon town.
Now that the Health Professions Council has accepted me as a Chiropodist/Podiatrist the story is almost complete. My only regret is that I didn’t do it years ago! I used to envy people who were happy in their work, now I know why.
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